Call for International Women’s Day award nominations

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is calling on its members to nominate a person or organisation who they believe embodies the Paralympic Spirit and inspires women in Para sport for its 2018 International Women’s Day Recognition.

The deadline for nominations is 7 February, and the winner will be announced on International Women’s Day on 8 March.

The shortlisting and selection process will be led by the IPC’s Women in Sport Committee, chaired by Tine Rindum Teilmann:

“The Recognition will help acknowledge the great effort which is being done around the world to make Para sport on the top of the gender equality agenda."

“In 2018, the Women in Sport recognition will highlight an outstanding person or organisation who has committed to raise the bar and make change toward gender equality in the Paralympic Movement,” Teilmann said. “I am proud that our organisation has such fantastic role models for others to follow and learn from.

“The Recognition will help acknowledge the great effort which is being done around the world to make Para sport on the top of the gender equality agenda.

“To all our members, please put your nomination forward and let us together celebrate the fantastic role models who work hard daily to secure more opportunities for women and girls in sport.”

The 2017 International Women’s Day Recognition was given to Dr. Cheri Blauwet.

A seven-time Paralympic medallist in wheelchair racing, Dr. Blauwet retired from her athletic career in 2008 and extended her legacy far beyond the field of play. She maintained an active sports medicine practice at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, USA, and also serves as an assistant professor in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School.

Her published research has helped to increase participation in Para sports, studying injury rates and causes specific to Paralympic athletes and using sports to promote disability rights.

Canada’s Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, Carla Qualtrough, received the award in 2016. Other former recipients include Canada’s Chantal Petitclerc in 2015, Russia’s Rima Batalova in 2014 and Spain’s Sylvana Mestre in 2013.

Thousands of events occur every year throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women for International Women’s Day. Organisations, governments, charities, educational institutions, women's groups, corporations and the media celebrate the day